If each member of the Polydox community possesses the right and freedom to determine her or his own beliefs regarding rituals, holiday celebrations, and the word God, what need is there for an organized Polydox community? In short, what need has a Polydox religionist for “organized religion”?

November 15, 2015

Although the Polydox religionist has the freedom to pursue a solitary course, Polydox religionists organize because, as is true in most cases of human endeavor, individuals can better achieve their goals collectively than they can separately. Thus the ideal practice of Polydoxy requires, above all, knowledge. For the exercise of freedom presupposes the ability to choose among alternatives, and such choice cannot take place without a knowledge of the alternatives. If a person, therefore, is to exercise genuine freedom in taking a position with respect to the word God, then she or he must have a knowledge of the many meanings and views that exist regarding the word God. The same requirement of knowledge holds true for the authentic exercise of choice respecting rituals, holidays, and the like. How is such knowledge, which requires special training, to be attained? In an organized community the resources of individuals can be pooled for the common benefit. Through combined resources, teachers and other specialists can be engaged to staff a religious school or conduct adult study groups where the knowledge of alternatives necessary for free choice can be imparted. Organized communities possess a number of other values for Polydox religionists. Two that bear noting are these. Celebrations of life-history ceremonies and observances of holidays are enhanced when experienced in common. And the mere fact of being united in community with others who share one’s fundamental religious principles brings a sense of fullness and release from isolation.